The Gazette Official News Bulletin of the Republic of Honduras Year CXXVII Tegucigalpa, M.D.C. Honduras, C.A. Friday March 26, 2004 Number 30,351

SECTION A

Secretary of Agriculture and Cattle raising Agreement No. 146-03 March 7 2003 SECRETARY OF STATE IN THE OFFICES OF AGRICULTURE AND CATTLE RAISING WHEREAS: That it is important to develop forms of agricultural production harmonic with the population's health and the atmosphere for the conservation of the natural resources so that they contribute to preserve the biodiversity.

WHEREAS: That it is necessary to develop bonds that allow to promote a transparent commercialization of the products generating trust between the producer and as well as the consumer, at national and international level.

WHEREAS: That it is indispensable that the processes involved in the production, elaboration and commercialization chain of organic products be subject to control by the Statebeing that international markets demand certification systems which guarantee the quality and organic integrity of the products.

THEREFORE: In application of articles 9 literal ch), d), i) and 41 of the Fitozoosanitary Ordinance Law No. 157-94, of January of 1995, 13 36 numeral 8, 116, 118, 119 numeral 3 and 122 of the Public Administration General Law .

AGREEMENT: To issue the following: REGULATION FOR ORGANIC AGRICULTURE FIRST TITLE General dispositions

CHAPTER I OBJECTIVES AND PURPOSES

Artículo 1.- De los Objetivos. El Reglamento para la Agricultura Orgánica tiene como objetivos:

1. To regulate the production, prosecution and commercialization of organic agricultural products and to define the normative one for the different stages of the processes and the certification of the same ones. 2. To establish mechanisms of the consumers' protection against the deceit and the fraud in the market and against declarations of not demonstrated properties of the products.

3. To not establish mechanisms of protection of the organic producers against false descriptions of other agricultural products non-controlled which are presented as organic.

4. To assure that all the phases of production prosecution, preparation, storage, transport and commercialization are subject to inspection and fulfill these guidelines.

Article 2. - The present Regulation is applied to the production and gathering of products of transformed and non-transformed vegetable origin following the principles here established.

Article 3. - Protects with the denomination "organic", "ecological", "biological" those products of certified agricultural origin in which production, processing, conservation and commercialization forbidden synthetic chemical products have not been used.

Article 4. - It is prohibited to use in food products and inputs of agricultural origin, the denomination "ecological", "organic", "biological" and other names, marks, expressions and signs, when for their phonetic or graphical equality with those protected in this regulation, can induce the consumer to error even though they are preceded by the expressions "type", "style", "taste" or other similar.

Article 5. - The defense of the denomination "organic agriculture", application of their Regulations, control of the execution of the same and of the instances related to the production and certification, as well as the development and quality control of the sheltered products are commended to the National Service of Agricultural Sanity as of this moment denominated as SENASA, branch office of the Secretariat of Agriculture and Cattle raising SAG.

Article 6. - SENASA will be responsible for looking after the correct and effective execution of this normative: It is before this inspector instance where those interested will be able to present the pertinent accusations claims in written and verbal form. Also, their

performance will be exempt of discriminatory treatment and all procedures will guarantee transparency.

Article 7. – It is prohibited to register and use the denominations of "organic","ecological", "biological" and to regulate as use of trade marks.

Article 8. - For an agricultural product to receive the denomination of "organic" it must have the corresponding certificate and consequently, come from a system where the principles and norms have been applied in conformity to this Regulation with the consequent implementation and compliance of the production plan appropriated to the demands of agricultural exploitation.

CHAPTER II

DEFINITION, PRINCIPLES OF ORGANIC AGRICULTURE

Article 9. - Of the definition. It is understood as ORGANIC AGRICULTURE all system of production sustainable in the time that rationally manages natural resources, without the use of chemical synthesis products and increasing the fertility of soil and the biological diversity.

Article 10. - Of the principles organic agriculture. It is considered as principles of the organic agriculture the following: 1. To produce healthy, nutritious foods and in sufficient amounts. 2. To promote and intensify the biological cycles within the agrarian system, which comprehends microorganisms, wildlife, soil, plants and the animals.

3. To maintain and increase the biological diversity of the agricultural system and their environment on the whole, including the protection of the habitat of plants and wild animals.

4. - To maintain and constantly increase soil fertility. 5. - To work, in the possible measure, within a closed system with regard to organic matter and mineral nutrients.

6. - To promote the sustainable use and appropriate care of water, the aquatic resources and the life that they sustain. 7. - To use in the organic production, in the possible measure, renewable resources reducing to a minimum the use of those non-renewable.

8. – To promote the organization of local agrarian systems.

9.- To work, insofar as possible, with materials and biodegradable substances or those that can be used again or recycled, both on the farm as well as in their processing and commercialization.

10. -To provide animals living conditions that allow them to develop the basic functions of their innate behavior. 11. - To minimize all forms of contamination that can be produced by agricultural practices.

12. Reuse waste of vegetable and animal origin in order to return nutrients to soil. 13. -Manipulate agricultural products stressing use of careful methods of elaboration for the effects of maintaining organic integrity and vital qualities of the product in all stages.

14. - Tend towards a chain of an entirely ecological production that is socially fair and ecologically responsible.

CHAPTER III

TERMS USED Article 11. - For interpretation effects and application of this Regulation consideration will be given to the following definitions:

Proof (Credential): Process in which SENASA recognizes and authorizes an individual or organization to offer inspection and certification services. As basis for this proof or credential process the documentation of the same, made by a certifier before internationally reknown private instances; can also serve, this last situation may notexempt it from an evaluation of their quality and of certification systems in the country.

Preservative: Any substance that in itself is not usually consumed as food, nor is it used as basic ingredient in foods, having or not nutrient value and whose addition to the food in its production, manufacture, elaboration, preparation., packing, treatment, packaging, transportation or storage phases is direct or indirectly, due to its by-products, a component of the food or affects its characteristics.

Certifying Agency : Properly authorized and registered organization credited by the authority designated by SENASA which is authorized to issue Certificates of Organic Production in compliance to this Regulation.

Competent authority: It is the National Service of Agricultural Sanity SENASA which fulfills the requirements of competent authority.

Competent authority: It is the National Service of Agricultural Sanity SENASA which fulfills the requirements of competent authority.

Organic certificate: Document that gives faith that the product it shelters has fulfilled in all its stages the principles, normatives and requirements of this Regulation.

Certification: It is the procedure by means of which the officially credited and reknown certification entities, supervise the execution of these norms for the operator and support through documentation so that the products adjust to the requirements and demands of this regulation.

Commercialization: The holding or exhibition for sale, the sale, delivery or any other form of introduction in trade.

Compost: It is understood as "compost", " compound fertilizer " and henceforth "fertilizer" the natural product obtained from the biological and chemical transformations of the mixture of substances of vegetable , animal and mineral origen, used as source of nutritious and improvement to soils.

Deriveties of genetically modified organisms: Substance or organism obtained from or using ingredients coming from the use of genetically modified organisms.

Labeling: All identification allowed, printed or inscribed, legend, graphic or descriptive representation, stamped by press, recorded, written or stuck to the packages, covers, packings of the organic products, in order to inform the consumer, on the characteristic contents of assuring them due handling of the food.

Sickness: Functional or morphological alteration with clinical or sub-clinical signs caused by biotic agents presented in animals and vegetables and that produce modifaciones in their morphology and physiology.

Inspection: It is a systematic and functionally independent examination to determine the if the activities and their results comply with the foreseen objectives.

Guamil: Also called berbecho. It refers to the cultivation surfaces in rest. Ingredient: It means any substance , including a food preservative, used in the manufacture or preparation of food and present in the final product although possibly in modified form.

Inspection: Task of visiting, investigating, verifying and to evaluate the organic nature of the production, process or commercialization that an inspector carries out by requirement of an Certifying Agency or the designated authority.

Inspector of Organic Agriculture. - Individual, professional, qualified in organic agriculture, registered before the designated authority and periodically up-to-date to carry out inspections by request of Certifiers both at farms as well as processing and commercialization level of organic products.

Organic input: All those material of organic origin or of biological obtention, registered according to the pertinent procedures and approved by SENASA, used to improve soil fertility or to combat plagues and illnesses in agricultural production.

Official lists of substances allowed in organic agriculture: Up-to-date Secretarial resolution coming from SAG with the lists of substances allowed to be used in organic agriculture.

Operator: Is any individual or organization which produces, processes, exports or imports organic products. Organic: Synonym in this regulation as the term of "ecological", "biological" and terms used as synonyms of organic agriculture.

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO): Are all materials obtained by the method of DNA recombinante and all the other techniques that use cellular or molecular biology to alter the genetic constitution of live organisms in forms or with results that don't happen in nature or by means of traditional reproduction of mating and/or natural recombination. Period of transition or of conversion: Time that should lapse for the transition from other production systems to the organic system according to a properly established plan.

Plagues: Any animal, vegetable species, race or biotipo or pathological agent harmful for vegetables or animals and products and by-products of vegetable or animal origin.

Processing: Within the context of thia regulation, it is understood as the operations of handling post-harvests, transformation, elaboration, packaging, conservation and packing of agricultural products.

Conventional product: Product coming from the agrarian system depending on the use of fertilizers and artificial insectisides, or that it doesn't adhere to that established in this Regulation.

Product of protection fitosanitary: It is all substance that has the function of avoiding, destroying, attracting, repelling or to combat any plague, included the species of undesirable plants or animals, during production, storage, transportation, distribution and elaboration of foods, agricultural products.

Parallel production: Simultaneous production by a producer in the same productive unit of cultivations or animals in a conventional manner and in transition or organic. Wild products: Those that grow spontaneously in natural, forest and agricultural zones, as well as same in which man's intervention is minimum or null and that fulfill the corresponding normative demands within this regulation.

National registration of the Organic Production: Database administered by SENASA, relative to farms, processing establishments, commercialization, certifying agencies and inspectors of Organic Agriculture. Organic Inputs Registration: Registration taken by SENASA of inputs and other products allowed officially in organic agriculture to combat plagues and illnesses in plants and animals; as well as for the general improvement of their physiologic state and conditions where they inhabit.

Seed: All grain, tuber, bulb or any live part of the vegetable that is used to reproduce a species. Detergents: Chemical substances which diminish the superficial tension of the water.

SECOND TITLETHE NORMATIVITY

CHAPTER IVEGETABLE PRODUCTION

Article 12. - Of the production unit. The production will be carried out in a unit whose parcels, production areas, processing, transformation and warehouses are clearly separated from any other unit that doesn't fulfill the norms of the present Regulation. Article 13. - In those cases in which the areas to be certified are exposed to an eventual contamination with some substance of exogenous character, it must have appropriate physical barriers or other means that protect and guarantee the integrity of the area. In all cases, if there is a contamination, when the same takes place it should be documented in the farm registrations and the producer will communicate in an immediate manner with the Certifying Agency. The products will be identified and separated from the rest.

Article 14. - The parallel production is not considered desirable. All transition process should tend to convert the entirety of the property in organic. The parallel production will be admitted as a transitory situation, with the condition that the producer is able to demonstrate physically and with documents to the Certifying Agency, the separation of organic and conventional activities. Article 15. - Of the transition period . – Whatever its duration, the period of transition will only be able to begin once the production unit has fallen under an inspection system on behalf of an officially recognized certifier and once the unit has begun to put into practice the norms of organic production.

Article 16. - whichever is the duration of the transition period during the execution of the same, the necessary measures should be executed for change in handling, within the terms demanded by the certifying agency.

Article 17. - The principles enunciated in this Regulation should be applied in the parcels, properties or agricultural units during a minimum transition period of two (2) years before the planting. An annual or bianual cultivation. In the case of perennial cultivations that are not grazing crop the required period will be three (3) years as a minimum before planting the products. The officially recognized certifying agency c will be able to decide in certain cases, if it should be prolonged or to decrease this period considering the previous use of the parcel; however, the period should be applied to a minimum of 12 months.

Article 18. - If an entire property doesn't become organic production all at, transition can be done progressively, so that these guidelines apply in a defined area of the whole productive unit. In this case, the exploitation will be subdivided in units and all should be object to inspection. After 5 years, the entirety of the productive unit must be organic or be in process of conversion or transition not admitting further terms for parallel production. Article 19. - If a period of transition is shortened, the inspector will clearly explain the foundations in his report to the certifying agency.

Article 20. – It is not permited for a transition process to implement practices which are not in concordance to principles of organic agriculture, including genetically modified organisms. Article 21. - In areas in transition process and in those converted to organic production methods of organic and conventional production should not be alternated. Article 22.- Soil fertility.- Both fertility and biological activity of soil will be maintained or increased through a soil handling and conservation program by means of:

1. The cultivation of leguminous and other nitrogen carrier plants, green fertilizers, covering cultivations, deep rooting vegetable or plant fertilizers of deep enraizamiento within an appropriate multianual cultivation rotation program.

2. The incorporation of materials to soil allowed in organic agriculture, compounded or not, proceeding from organic properties. 3. For activation of fertilizer, appropriate microorganisms or preparations can be used with the help of plants.

4. To stimulate practice of soil conservation such as planting on continuied curve level, barriers, coverings, terraces, windshild curtains, systems of superficial and sub superficial drainage, and the establishment of silvo-pasture agriculture practice.

5. A multianual rotation plan should be established according to adaptation of the crop at regional level, the topography of the land and the morphology of the vegetable species. In case of perennial cultivations a rotation benefitted by associate planting and green fertilizer will be carried out among other cultivation practices.

6. Applications of other nutrient productos will be carried out. These are included on the official lists of substances allowed in organic agriculture, when the level of nutrients or physical characteristics of soil are not totally satisfactory for an adequate growth of crops, and also to maintain and increase soil productivity.

7. Use of cattle sub-products, such as farm manure, if these proceed from exploitations adjusted to practices recognized in matters of organic animal production. Use of manure or sub products of non-organic animal production systems are only allowed when the need is recognized by the certifying organization and must be used after a controled fermentation or compost process.

Article 23.- Use of seed and reproductive material.- Seeds, pots and vegetation reproduction material must come from plants cultivated according to Regulations and certified during a generation as a minimum; in case of permanent crops, during two growth seasons. If an operator is able to demonstrate before the officially recognized certifying organism who does not have material which complies with the requirements mentioned in article 22, the certifying organism may allow:

1. In first instance, the use of untreated seed and reproductive vetation material, preferibly these must be produced at the same farm.

2. In lack of this material, use of seeds and reproductive vegetation materialtreated with substances different from those included in the official list of substances allowed organic agriculture.

3. Not to use genetically modified organisms and their by-products.

4. The designated authority may establish limiting criteria on the contrary.

Article 24.- Plagues, sicknesses and weeds. The primary system to combat plagues must consist of preventive methods, such as perturabation and elimination of the plague organisms habitat and their access to the production and processing area; if the preventive methods are insufficient, to combat plaques first select mechanical-physical biological methods through one of the following measures, or a combination of the same:

1. Selection of appropriate species and varieties.

2. Appropriate crop rotation programs.

3. Mechanical control as well as traps, barriers, light and sound.

4. Protection to natural enemies of plagues offering them a favorable habitat, such as sites to nest and ecological protection zones which the original vegetation maintains to house plague depredators.

5. Diversified ecosystems which vary from one geographical site to another. For example, ecological protection zones to counter-arrest errosion, agro-silveculture, rotative crops, etc.

6. Production and liberation of depredetors and parasites.

7. Preparation based on manure, ferments, infusions and plant preparations or other biological elements.

8. Covering with organic carp.

9. Pasturing cattle and minor species proceeding from original farms.

10. Sterilization by steam when an adequate soil rotation or renovation can be carried out.

11. Only in case of an immediate threat to crop, and where the previous recommended measures are not effective or are insufficient to combat the plagues, plaguecide substances which appear on the substances allowed in organic agriculture may be used.

12. In organic products the use of plaguecides (insecticides) which are not included in the lists of substances allowed in organic agriculture is not permitted for treatments after harvest or for quarenteen. Application of these treatments will make the organically produced food to lose their organic characteristics.

13. It is prohibited to store in the productive unit raw material different from those which use is compatible with the disposition of this Regulation.

Article 25.- Water management.- In case irrigation water is used, there must be a plan directed toward conservation of water. The source, as well as possible causes of contamination, must be evaluated under the responsibility of the Certifier. Water used for production, transformation and processing of organic products, must be free from contamination. Use of sewage water or drainage , with excess of nitrate or lead, are not allowed.

Article 26.- Harvest. Harvest must be carried out under adequate conditions which allow to preserve the organic integrity and quality of the products.

Article 27.-Colection Products.- Collection of products which grow spontaneaousely in natural, forests and agricultural zones which require the denomination of organic, must be submitted to inspections by an officially recognized certifier and will be considered as an organic product as long as:

1. The products come from a clearly defined collection zone and subject to required inspection and certification measures.

2. The collection areas have not been treated with products different from those mentioned in the list of substances allowed in organic agriculture for a period of three years prior to collection.

3. Collection does not perturb the estability of the environment or the preservation of species within the collection area.

4. Products proceed from an operator, who administrates the harvest and collection of the same, who is clearly identified and knows the collection zone well.

5. There are no possible agents or means of contamination.

6. In case the evaluation of the product collection fulfills these conditions they may be certified as organic without the requirement of a transición period.

Article 28.- Processing.- Integrity of the organic product must be maintained during the whole phase of processing and elaboration. This is achieved using appropriate techniques for the specific ingredients with careful elaboration methods which limit refinning and use of preservatives and ellaboration coadyuvants. In organic products ionizing radiation should not be used to control plagues, conserve food, eliminate pathological agents or sanitation.

Article 29.- Processing and elaboration methods must be mechanical, physical or biological (for example, fermentation or smoked), and reduce to a minimum the use of non-agricultural ingredients and additives such as those expressed on the list of substances allowed in organic agriculture.

Article 30.- The following pracrtices will be allowed:

1. Storage under controlled environment (carbon dioxide or nitrogen), with appropriate security measures.

2. Treatment with hot water, hot air, or steam treatment to tardy dicomposition by microorganisms.

3. Natural or forced air drying.

4. Use of wax or eatable toppings.

5. Cooling.

6. Washing with bleach water, according to concentrations established in the norms in force.

Article 31.- In casae products coming from conventional or organic agriculture are transformed, packaged or stored in the productive unit:

1. The unit must have desinfected areas, separated for storage, before and after product operations.

2. All measures required must be adopted to guarantee identification of lots and to avoid them to be mixed with products which are not obtained according to the production standards established in this Regulation.

3. Non-packaged products must be clearly identified as organic and placed aside from those non-organic.

4. A product elaborated under the standards of this regulation can not have the same ingredient obtained organically and in a conventional manner.

5. In case services are contracted for the processing of a product, inspection may be requested by the operator who must demontrate, in coordination with those in charge of the contracted plant, the physical and temporary separation within the plant during the whole flow of the product; as well as the adequate signaling and flow registration identifying the organic products. In addition, they must have a contract which shows that the owner of the plant is aware that the production processed is organic.

Article 32.- Parelel processing is allowed only when the operator is capable of demonstrating physically and through documentation before the Certifying Agency, through registration, the separation of conventional and organic production.

Article 33.- Ingredients. All elaborated products to be comercialized as organic, must contain all its ingredients from organic origen, produced, imported or obtained according to this regulation. Notwithstanding that established they may use within a maximum limit of five percent (5%) in the weight of the ingredients, products of agricultural origen which do not comply with the requirements of this regulation, as long as it is unavoidable its use and that they are not GMO or their by-products, and that the same do not exist produced by organic systems. To calculate the % of an organic ingredient or the total of organic ingredients the total net weight (excluding water and salt) of the combined organic ingredient or ingredients must be divided among the total weight (exclusing water and salt) of the final product.

For liquid ingredients the fluid volume of the combined organic ingredient or ingredients (excluding salt and water) must be divided among the fluid volume of the final product.

For products which contain organic ingredients in liquid and solid form the combined weight of solid ingredients and the liquids is divided (excluding salt and water) among the total weight (excluding salt and water) of the final product.

Article 34.- In those products where the participation of the organic components do not reach the limits established in the denomination “organic”, it can only incorporate following each organic ingredient, the indication of the percentage in which it is presented, when corresponding, on the list of the same.

Article 35.- When an organic product does not contain the total of its ingredients organic, using the word “conventional”.

Article 36.- Processed products to be labeled or identified as organic products or in transición must not include products contaminated with heavy metals and/or insecticides, such as sulfers, nitrate. Synthetic colorings, preservatives and flavours are also excluded. Water used in the system must be potable and preferibly without chemical treatment.

Article 37.- Storage and Transportation. During all storage, transportation and handling operation the integrity and non-contamination of the product must be maintained, applying to such effect the following precautions:

1. Organic products must be protected at all times, so that they do not mix with non-organic products.

2. Organic products must be protected at all timnes, from contact with materials and substances which use is not authorized in cultivation, processing and comercialization of organic products.

3. If only a part of the unit is certified, the rest of the products which are not comprehended in these directions, must be stored and handled separately, and it will be necessary to clearly identify both types of products and the warehouses and document these separately.

4. Large organic product deposits must be kept completely separate from conventional product warehouses, and must be clearly labled to that effect.

5. Storage areas and recipients used to transport organic products, must be cleaned with methods and materials allowed in organic production.

Article 38.- Storage must comply with hygene and cleansing demands for storage and be apropriate for certified organic food. Organic and non-organic products must not be stored or transported together, except when they are duly packed and labeled and adequate measures are taken to avoid contamination by contact. Storage areas and transportation containers must be cleaned using methods and materials allowed in organic production based on this Regulation.

Article 39.- Packaging and Package Material. Packages will meet the standards in force within the country and must be manufactured with recycable and biodegradable materials when available. In no case may those which have contained conventional agricultural products or those which harm the consumers health be used.

Article 40.- Organic Product Labeling. In addition to complying with legislation in force in the country as to conventional products, organic products must be provided with:

A label with the following characteristics:

1. Must have the name of the product, name and address of the person responsible for the production or processing of the product.

2. The label must also have the mandatory official seal from SENASA.

3. All ingredients must be clearly detailed on the label of the organic product and must figure in decending order on the ingredients list.

4. Non use of ionizing radiation.

5. Indications of the ingredients list figure in the same color and with character style and size identical to those of other indications on said list.

6. For labels of products in transicion, the label must read: “Product, in transition towards organic agriculture” amd must be presented in a color and format and characters which do not outstand them from the products sales denomination.In this indication the words “organic, ecological or biological agriculture”, will not outstand the words “product in transition towards....”.

7. To label a product as “product in transition”, the same must proceed from a production system in which the dispositions of this regulation have been applied during at least 12 months prior to harvest as an organic product.

Article 41.- Operators Registration. The operator must maintain a registration through notes and documents which allow the certifier or competent authority to locate the origen, nature and amounts of all raw material or inputs acquired; as well as to know the use made of the same; in addition, must carry registration related to the nature, amounts and destination of all organic products sold.

Article 42.- Comercialization. Products comericalized under the denomination “organic products in transition” must be backed up by a certificate issued by a certifying agency recognized by SAG through SENASA.

Article 43.- The company carrying out comercialization of organic products and must carry out washing, classification, packing, packaging and storage operations, must do so in a manner completely separated from products of conventional origen.

CHAPTER IIORGANIC PRODUCTS IMPORTS

Article 44.- Imported imputs and organic products can only be comercialized within the country when:

1. The competent authority or organism in the country of origen has issued a control certificate, in which it indicates that they have been obtained thrrough an organic production method equivalent to the standards of this Regulation.

2. The importer in Honduras must be registered with SENASA as an organic product operator and inspected by a certifier recognized before the same.

3. Import evaluation will be based on equivalence and transparency principles, as established in the Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification Principles. When accepting organic product inports, the country will evaluate the inspection, certification procedures and applied standards within the exporting country.

Article 45.- Countries which do not appear on the list contemplated in the previous article, must make an express petition in which it will consider the following aspects:

1. The guarantees which the country of origen may offer as to the organic integrity of the products.

2. Efficiency of adopted control measures.

Article 46.- When SAG through SENASA examines the petition for import of an organic product from another country, all necessary documentation and information will be required; in addition, in case of doubt, experts can be requested to carry out, under its authority, an examination on site of the compliance of the equivalent regulation, as well as of the control measures applied in the country from which the export proceeds.

Article 47.- The original of the “organic” certificate or a copy issued by the certifier must accompany the product up to its final sale.

Article 48.- The imported products will lose their condition as organic when they do not adjust to the requirements of this Regulation; for example, when suffering a quarenteen treatment, required by national regulations, which are not in conformity to these directions.

Article 49.- Products originating from other countries will be imported in packages or recipients which do not allow the substitution of their contents, and which carry an identification of the exporter and other marks and numbers which allow to clearly identify the lot.

THIRD TITLENATIONAL CONTROL AND CERTIFICATION SYSTEM

CHAPTER IDESIGNATED AUTHORITY

Article 50.- The Secretariat of Agriculture and Cattle Raising through SENASA is responsible for carring out the National Organic Agriculture Registration and supervision of certifiers and their operators.

Article 51.- The National Registry is a database in which al Certifying Agencies, organic inspectors, organic farms and those in transition, processing and elaboration establishmentsmust register; as well as organic comercializers and importers and exporters.

Article 52.- The National Registry will be used by SENASA for the implementation of a periodic supervision system of all those individuals and organizations which comprehend the chain as of production up to the comercialization of agricultural products of organic origen so as to supervise compliance of the roles of the different participants within the frame of this Regulation.

Article 53.- Disposition of this Regulation apply without prejudice of the remaining dispositions of the State Supervision Organisms which regulate the production, elaboration, comercialization, labeling and control of agricultural products.

Article 54.- The Secretariat of Agriculture and Cattle Raising (SAG) through SENASA will be in charge of evaluating the technical equivalence of the regulations in Organic Agriculture of the countries from which imports of organic products or imputs are to be made.

Article 55.-The operator is obligated to submit to the control system and SENASA will be the entity in charge of supervised control of organic agriculture inspection and certification tasksaccording to dispositions comprenhended in this Regulation and will have the following specific functions:

1. Supervise the objectivity and efficiency for inspections to be carried out.

2. Take note of any irregularities or violations found by the certifiers, and the sanction applied.

3. Cancel registratiuon of violator and notify corresponding instances on relevant uncompliance on behalf of operators.

Article 56.- The Secretariat of Agriculture and Cattle Raising in its condition as maximum authority within the sector will solve the conflicts which may araise between inspectors, operators, Certifying Agencies and other govewrnments in reference to the competence granted to it by this Regulation.

Article 57.-General Registrations of the National Organic Agriculture Registry. Postulants before the Registry, productors, procesors and comercilizers as well as certifiers and inspectors, must comply with the following requirements and submit the following information required for their registration in SENASA:

1. Present registration petition, through a legal representative.

2. Complete name and marriage status of individual or organization requesting registration.

3. Description of activity or activities it is dedicated to; production, processing, comercialization, certification, or inspection.

4. Attach authenticated copy of ID Card and Articles of Constitution of the company.

5. Exact address of individual or organization, mailing address, fax, telephone number, email, so as to allow immediate location.

6. Present original and copy of receipt for payment of annual registration fees, according to services rates established by SAG through SENASA.

Article 58.- Once the registration application is recieved and the requirements are satisfied, SENASA will proceed within a period of 10 work days to notify the interested party, the approval or deniel of its registration.

Article 59.- In case of non-compliance with established requirements or lack of information, the interested party will be granted a period of 60 work days as of notification from SENASA to present the omitted documentation. Once this period expires and that requested is not fulfilled, the petition will be denied.

Article 60.- Once all requirements are met, SENASA will proceed to note the inscription in the corresponding registry. The registered operator is obligated to up-date it annually, prior payment of the annual registration fee.

Article 61.- All companies registered with SENASA agree to allow access, in its case, to officials from SAG to carry out necessary inspections and supervisions and to comply with the established technical recommendations.

Article 62.- Specific requirements for registration of organic production farms and those in transition. In addition to the general requirements, the following must be presented:

1. Exact address of the parcels and a sketch.

2. Certification issued by a Certifying Agency official recognized by SENASA.

Article 63.- Specific requirement for registering processing companies. Operators carrying out organic product processing, elaboration, packaging, in addition to complying with the general requirements, must submit:

1. Full address or addresses where producto transformation is carried out (classification, processing, packaging, packing and storage).

2. Certification by a certifier recognized by SENASA for the elaboration and handling of organic products.

Article 64.- Comercializing companies. Companies dedicated to the comercialization of organic products must, in addition to the general requirements, submit to the registry:

1. A list of products it works with and the destination markets.

2. Certification by a certifier recognized by SENASA for the comercialization of organic products.

Article 65.- Specific requirements for registration of inspectors. To be authorized, organic agriculture inspectors must submit the following requirements before the designated unit:

1. Copy of confidentiality committment with the certifier they work with as to information collected from operators.

2. Documentos demonstrating required capability and with a minimum of three year of experience in organic agricultural activities.

3. Certificate of attendance to an i nspectors training course approved by SAG or annual up-date in case of renewal of their registration.

Article 66.- Inspectors may not have family ties, organizational affiliation, nor professional or technical consulting in a direct or indirect manner, with individuals or organizations which they inspect for the effects of certification.

Article 67.- Inspectors may not have relationship or business interests as to production, elaboration, packaging or comercialization of organic products or imputs with individuals or institutions.

Article 68.- If there is proof of lack of compliance to the previous articles, both cerifying agency as well as the contractor, are in risk of being sanctioned with temporary or definite cancellation of their registration.

Article 69.- Requirements for Registering a Certifying Agency. SENASA, the competent authority, is ruled for the proof and supervision of certifying agencies by the outlines established by this regulation and the regulations established by the international standards organization in Guide ISO 65 – General requirements for organisms which operate product certification systems.

Article 70.- To register a Certifying Agency the following documents must be submitted to SAG through SENASA:

1. Quality guarantee manual.

2. Procedures manual

3. Documentos which demonstrate the inspection procedures to follow; detailed description of precuation or security and inspection measures which bind to impose on productors and processors submitted to thier inspection.

4. Rate chart

5. List of inspectors duly registered at SENASA

6. List of operators, with their corresponding addresses

7. Indicate sanctions which the certifying agencie pretends to apply when observing irregularities.

8. Describe availability of qualified human resources, technical and administrative instalations, inspection experience and reliability.

9. Guarantee through sworn statement guantee of objectivity, impartiality and equal treatment before productors and processors subject to a control system.

10. To send to SENASA no later than january 31 of each year, a list of customers subject to certification (up to December of the previous year) and an annual report on their activities.

11. Present inscription and registration documents as a company within the country.

12. List of directors, partners, representatives and personnel of the Certifying Agencies.

13. To have physical presence within the country.

14. To submit proof of their experience and capability as a certifying ageny.

Article 71.- Registration of new substances of biological origen for control of plagues and sicknesses. The Secretariat for Agriculture and Cattle Raising through SENASA, will define the requirements for the inclusion of new products on the National List of substances allowed in the production of organic food. The potential inclusion must be done following the outlines established by the Food CODEX.

Article 72.- As basis for the inclusion of new substances and fertilizers on the lists authorized by the designated authority the following criteria may be considered:

1) It is consistent with organic pruduction principles.

2) Use of the substance is essentially required for the use destined to it.

3) There are no available authorized alternatives in sufficient amount and quality.

4) Use of the substance generates harmful effects to environment.

5) Has minor negative effect on human or animal health and on living standards.

6) Detailed description of product, conditions of its use and composition and solubility demands.

Article 73.- For enforcement of inscriptions in the corresponding registries it will be necessary to comply, at all times, with the requirements imposed by this Chapter, and must notify SENASA of any variation which affects data supplied in the inscription whenever this occurs.

ORGANIC PRODUCTION CERTIFIERS

Article 74.- Reguirements for certifiers. Officially recognized certification organisms must:

1) Assure that at least the inspection and precaution measures specified in this Regulation, apply to the companies object to inspection.

2) Facilitate access to their offices and instalations for authorities designated by SENASA for means of supervision and effects of verification of their operations.

3) To offer access to required information and assistance to the designated authority for the fulfillment of their obligations in conformity with these directions.

4) Send each year to the designated authority a detailed list (areas and addresses)of organic operators and in transition subject to inspection in the previous year and submit to the mentioned authority an annual report.

Article 75.- All information collected by the certifying Agency, should remain confidential and information or confidential data obtained during their inspection activities or certification should not be revealed to third parties without authorization from the operator.

Article 76. - Divulgation of confidential information by the inspectors or certifiers without authorization, will cause the application of that prepared in the corresponding legislation and in a possible suspension of its registration in the country.

Article 77. - The Certifier’s work will be exempt of discriminatory treatment toward the customers and condition its service to affiliations or use discriminatory rates. All procedures will guarantee transparency. The rate chart, as well as the Certifier’s Manual of Quality Guarantee, must be of public domain.

Article 78. - The work of the Certifying Agency is not compatible and it excludes production activities, counceling, export, marketing, commercialization of organic products and any other activity that can generate conflicts of interest in the certification process. There should be no interest nor participation in companies that pursue the described ends.

Article 79. – Certifier’s Work. When beginning the application of the control régime, both the operator as well as the certifier should:

1. To make a complete description of the unit, indicating storage and production areas as well as parcels or the gathering areas, and in their case, the places where certain storage, transformation and packing operations are made.

2. Prior to the date set by the designated authority, in the case of the producers, these will notify the certifier annually of their vegetable production program, detailing it by parcels.

3. To determine all the concrete measures that should be adopted by the operators within their unit so as to guarantee execution of the dispositions of this Regulation.

4. The commitment of the producer will be documented of having carried out the operations in agreement with the dispositions of this Regulation and of adapting, in the event of violation, the application of the established sanctions and the corresponding correctivas measures according to this Regulation.

5. In the event of gathering vegetables that are naturally scarce, they will consider another guarantee type that can be presented to the producer, as to the execution of norms and respective requirements, offered in case, to third parts.

6. To guarantee that the pertinent areas subject to control, documentation and information are open to the inspection works by SENASA.

Article 80. – Inspection Reports. Both the description as well as those measures mentioned will figure in an inspection report that will be given to the operator within a certain term according to contract. A copy of the report, at the time of reception, will be signed by the operator and returned to the certifying company.

Article 81. - The report will mention the date in which the last time they have been applied in the parcels or in the gathering areas, products whose use is incompatible with that established in this Regulation.

FOURTH TITLE

VIOLATIONS AND SANCTIONS

CHAPTER I

VIOLATIONS

Article 82.-For the effects of this Regulation it is understood as violation, all action,omission or apparent intention that forces or incomplies with this Regulation, Resolutionsor dispositions issued directly by SAG General Directorate through SENASA inattribution of its faculties, without damage of that corresponding to the competent authority,when the violation constitutes a crime.

Article 83.-The Secretariat may know of the violations in the terms enunciated in the previous article, officially, through inspections of the productive unit, operators and certifying agencies or where the same executes the project.

If the violation known constitutes infractions or crime, the competent judicial authority will take the corresponding steps and will judge in conformity with that established in the penal classification.

Article 84. - Without damage of the administrative procedure foreseen in the previous article the individual, or organization harmed by the violation, may exercise the available civil and criminal actions.

Article 85. - The violations established in this Regulation, the Resolutions and dispositions which originate from itwill be classified and sanctioned administratively by SAG or by the General Directorate of SENASA for the sake of making their procedure more expedite.

Article 86. - For ends of this regulation violations are classified in: Light violationsLess Serious violations (Misdeminors)Serious violations

Article 87. – Light Violations. - Are those that constitute a minimum infraction due to production, storage, transportation, labeling and administrative aspects that produce scarce damage and a minimum consequence to the organic products. Considered as light violations are: 1. Lack of respect towards the competent authority in the exercise of functions which this Regulation determines.

2. Operate without the corresponding registration in the national organic agriculture registry.

3. To label conventional products as organic products.

4. The certifying agency contracts personnel who are not recognized by the competent authority according to that established in this Regulation.

5. Store and transport organic products togather with conventional products, without considering that established in this Regulation.

Article 88.- Less serious violations (Misdeminor). Are those which commision implies a reinteration of the dispositions established in this Regulation.

The following are considered as Less serious violations (misdeminors):

1. Omission of inspection by the competent authorities in the introduction of organic products.

2. Non-application of vegetable production princiles established in this Regulation.

3. Use of preservatives, coloring, conservatives and any other substance strange to organic product elaboration.

4. Mixing organic products with conventional agricultural products and passing them on as organic products.

5. Obstaculation to competent authority to carry out inspections before instances registered at the National Registry.

6. Not immediately attending dispositions imposed by the organic agricultural inspectors.

7. Participation of certifying agency in the production and comercialization of organic products certified by the same agency.

Article 89.- Serious Violations. Are those which comission implies a reinteration of at least once, the dispositions established in this regulation, and those which consequently result in an unrepairable damageor of unsuspected dimension in people or the environment itself, which merit application of corrective and administrative measures or a criminal sanction en cases typified by this jurisdiction.

The following are considered Serious Violations:

1. Introduction into the country of food products of certified organic vegetal origen, without complying with the requirements established in this Regulation.

2. Alteration or falsification of documents issued by the competent authority related to organic agriculture and established in this Regulation.

3. To comercialize conventional organic agriculture as organic product.

CHAPTER II

SANCTIONS

Article 90.- For the effects of this Regulation, administrative sanction is the penalization imposed by the Executive Branch Office, through the Secretariat of Agriculture and Cattle Raising SAG, for the violation or abstention of duties derivated from the dispositions, Resolutions and Regulations issued by the same, within the atmosphere of its attributes, without prejudice of actions coming from the Secretariats within their corresponding fields.

Article 91.- When the violations or abstentions of duties derivated from the dispositions, resolutions and regulations issued by this Secretariat constitute a crime, the ordinary jurisdiction will be in charge of classifying, typifiying, or issuing absolution sentence.

Article 92.-The adminsitrative sanctions applicable for infringing dispositions, resolutions and regulations issued by the Secretariat will be the following:

1. Verbal amonestation, and must be included in an act drafted to the efect and the violator will sign together with the official.

2. Written amonestation, through correspondence issued by the competent authority, and the violator must notify receipt of the same.

3. Establishment of fine.

4. Confiscation of product.

5. Temporary or definite closure of the productive unit or of the certifying agency when this causes any damage to its customers.

6. Suspension or cancellation of Certificates of certifying Agencies and Operators.

7. En cases where proceeding, present the corresponding accusation either directly before the competent courts, or through claim formulated before Attorney Generals Office, duly documented, which will be the direct and non-substitutable responsibility of the SENASA Director General.

Article 93.- The order of the numbered sanctions in the previous article, does not mean that SAG will apply them in than manner, but in the manner merited by the violator, according to the seriousness of the violation classified by the same.

Article 94.- For violations, the following sanctions:

1. For light violations committed a VERBAL AMONESTATION will be applied, and will carry a fine of Lps.100.00 (One Hundred Lempiras) to Lps.5,000.00 (Five thousand Lempiras).

2. For Less Serious Violations (Misdeminors) committed a WRITTEN AMONESTATION will be applied, together with a fine of Lps.5,000.00 (Five Thousand Lempiras) to Lps.10,000.00 (Ten Thousand Lempiras).

3. For Serious Violations committed a fine of Lps.10,000.00 (Ten Thousand Lempiras) to Lps.30,000.00 (Thirty thousand Lempiras) will be applied, plus definit cancellation of permit.

CHAPTER III

SANCTION (FINE) APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Article 95.- Once a violation is known in the terms established in this regulation, no official, employee or authority from SAG may refuse the claim presented, abstain or place barriers to the follow-up of the procedures which have been officially initiated by the Secretariat, being in risk of incuring in administrative or criminal responsibility as a result of their actions.

Article 96.- Initiating investigation procedures on a violation, in the sentence where the same is ordered, the supposed violator will be summon, to appear before the Secretariat to declare on the charges against the same, for which, together with the summon a copy of the writ where the same is pointed out as violator, will be attached. The summons will be made on a format to the supposed violator and hand delivered at its establishment, if the same is

present there, if not, it will be delivered to any family member of the same or workers who are at the establishment, if this is an organization; if this is an individual, personally, or to any family member at the residence of the same.

Article 97.- Once the violator is summons, the same must appear personally before the Secretariat within a period of five days as of the following day of notification for a hearing before the Secretariat, to clairify accusations and to which the supposed violator may oppose verbally in a reasoned and fundamental exposition, and which will be read back to the same.

Article 98.- Or else, the supposed violator may oppose in writing and through a legal representative, to the act or writ in which he/she is accused, within ten days as of the following dayof having been notified of the act or written accusation.

Article 99.- When the violator has been summons in due manner, and the same does not personally appear at the hearing within five days, or thorugh legal representative within the following ten days, SAG will presume that the violation has been committed by the accused party, in this case, fifteen days, after the right to appear has expired, the same will issue Resolution imposing the corresponding sanction (fine) according to that established in this Regulation.

Article 100.- Having appeared, from that resulting from statements given at the hearing, or when the parties do so request within their writs, SAG will open diligencies to proof in the terms established in the Administrative Procedures Law.

Article 101.- Once proof has arrived and said period is closed, SAG must issue resolution within the following fifteen days, as of the last notification made to the parties, either personally or by means of the Courts Notice Bulletin Board.

Article 102.- Of the sentences and resolutions issued by SAG, the parties may use the appeals established by the Administrative Procedures Law. All that which is not foreseen as to procedures for sactions (fines) and their payment, will be ruled by the dispositions established in the latter.

FIFTH TITLECHAPTER I

RATE ESTABLISHMENT

Article 103.- SENASA will establish as fees for services supplied by the Technical Sub-Directorate for Vegetable Sanitation, specific rates, and which amount will be determined based on real cost of the same, which will be specified in the procedure manual which are established forthis matter.

SIXTH TITLECHAPTER I

NATIONAL ORGANIC AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE

Article 104.- Committee. The National Organic Agriculture Committee of Honduras is an independent organism with a consulting organism characteristic with competence and faculties which must be described within a special regulation to be elaborated by the Committee.

Article 105.- The National Organic Agriculture Committee of Honduras will be composed by the following representatives assigned in an ad-honorum manner:

1. One representative from the Secretariat of State for Agriculture and Cattle Raising, through the National Agricultural Sanitarion Service (SENASA) with the corresponding likeness and who will be chairman.

2. One technical representative from the Secretariat of State for Natural Resources and Enviroment (SERNA).

3. One representative for the Honduran organic operators.

4. One representative from an Educational Center which is involved in organic processing.

5. One representative from the organic product exporters.

6. One representative from the non-governmental organizations which promote organic agriculture, elected by the same and active in training, technical assistance, transformation and comercialization.

Article 106.- By request of the Committee, other members may be incorporated outside those mentioned in the previous article.

Article 107.- Assigment of representatives will be carried out by SAG, through SENASA according to procedures pertaining to each case.

Article 108.- Members of this Committee must be linked to the sector they represent, either directly or in representation of companies dedicated to the activities they represent. Notwithstanding, one same person may not have double representation within the committee.

Article 109.- Once the National Organic Agriculture Committee is composed, it will meet to issue its corresponding Regulation within a maximum period of three work months.

CHAPTER V

TRANSITORY AND FINAL DISPOSITIONS

Article 110.- The Secretariate for Agriculture and Cattle Raising, through SENASA will keep updated the official lists of substances allowd for organic agriculture, according to international instructions of Codex Food.

Article 111.- Coordination of all activities referred to in this regulation, are the responsibility of SAG, through SENASA and for such ends the Department of Organic agriculture is created to execute the actions established in this Regulation.

Article 112.- SAG, through SENASA will issue an agreement, establishing the procedures of internal certification for groups.

Article 113.- This Regulation will go into effect as of its publication in the Official Government Publication Bulletin “La Gazeta”, derrogating Agreement # 135-02, published in the same Bulletin on February 16, 2002.

2. Carry out the legal transcriptions.

NOTIFY

MARIANO JIMENEZ TALAVERASecretary of State for Agriculture and Cattle Raising

DIONICIO CRUZSecretary General

ANNEXES

Substances to be used as fertilizers and soil conditioners.

Substance Description, composition requirements, use conditionsStable and poultry manure R If not coming from organic production systems.

Non-allowed industrial agriculture sources.Liquid manure or urine R If not coming from organic sources. Use preferibly after

controlled fermentation and appropriate dilusion.Composted animnal droppings, including poultry manure

R Non-Permitted Industrial Agricultural Sources.

Dehydrated stable and poultry manure R Non-Permitted Industrial Agricultural Sources.Guamo RHay RComposts of substrations from mushroom and vermiculture cultivation

R The initial composition of the substraction must be limited to the products included in this list

Composts of domestic organic waste RComposts resulting from vetable residue AElaborated animal products proceeding from slaughter and small industry

R

Food and textile industry sub-products Not treated with sythetic preservativesSeaweed and its by-products RSawdust, bark and wood waste RWood ashes ANatural Phosfate rock R The cadmium must not exceed 90 mg/kg P205.Scum basite RMineral potasium, minral extraction potasium salt (for example: Cannita sylviinite) Less than 60% bleachPotasium Sulphate (for example: Patenkali) R Obtained by physical procedures but not enriched through

chemical processes to increase its solubility.Calcium Carbonite of natural origen (for example: Creta, Marga, Macri, Limestone, Loslate creta)

A

Magnesium rock ALime-Magnesium rock AEpson Salt (Magnesium Sulphate) AChalk (Calcium Sulphate)Vinaza and its extracts Ammonia Cinaza excludedSodium Cloride Of mineral salt onlyLime and aluminum Phosphate Maximum 90 mg 7kg P205.

Oligoelements (for example: boron, copper, iron, manganesium, molibdeno, zinc)

R

Sulpher RStone dust RClay (for example: bentonite, perlite, ceolite)

A

Natural biological organisms (such as worms)

A

Vermiculite ATurba A Sythetic preservatives are excluded; allowed for

seed, pots modular composts. Other use as allowed by the organism or certifying authority.

Worm and insect humus ACeolites AVegetable carbon A

Limeston cloride RSugar Industry sub-products RSub-products of industries which elaborate ingredients proceeding from organic agriculture

R

A = AcceptedR = Restricted and for use must previously consult with certifying organism.

ANNEX 2

Substances for plant plague and sickness control

1. Vegetables and animalsSubstance Description, composition requirements, use

conditionsPreparations based on piretrines extracted from Chrysantehemun cinerariafolium which possible contains a sinegic substance

R

Retonona preparations obtained from Derris elliptic, lonchocapus, thephrosia -pp

R

Guassia ama preparations RRyania speciosa preparations RNeem based preparations (Asadirachtin) obtained from A/adirachta indigo

R

Bee-glue RVegetable and animal oils ASeaweed, their flour, strictums, marine salt and salt water.

Not treated with chemicals

Gelatin A

Lecithyn RCasein ANatural acids (for example: viniger) R Need must be recognized by certifying organism

or authority.Asper..fermentation products AMushroom layers (Shiitake mushroom)

A

Chlorella Layers ANatural plant preparations, excluding tobbaco

R

Tobbaco infussion (except nicotine) R

II. MineralsSubstance Description, composition requirements, use

conditionsInorganic compositions mixtures of B..., copper hydroxide, oxicloride of cob...

R

Burgundy mixture RCopper salts RSulpher RMineral dust (stone dust, silic....) ADiatomasic soil RClay silicates (bentonite) ASodium silicate ASodium bicarbonite APotassium perganminate RParaffin oil R

III. Microorganisms used for biological plague controlSubstance Description, composition requirements, use

conditionsMicroorganisms (bacterias, virus, mushrooms), for example: Bacillus Thuriringiensis, granulosis virus, etc.)

R

IV. OthersSubstance Description, composition requirements, use

conditionsCarbone Dioxide and nitrogine gas RPotassium soap (soft soap) AEthylic alcohol RHomeopathic and ayurvetic preparations

A

Herbal and biodynamic preparations ASterilized male insects R

V. TrapsSubtance Description, composition requirements, use

conditionsFeromone preparations AMetaldehide based preparations which contain a repelant for large animal species, as long as applied in traps

R

ANNEX 3INGREDIENTS OF AGRICULTURAL ORIGEN

(Food perservatives, including carriers)

Name Specific ConditionsCalcium cabonitesSulpher dioxide Wine productsLactic acid Fermented vegetable productsCarbon dioxideMalic acidAscorbic acid If not available in natural formTocopherole, mixed natural concentratesLecithin Obtained without using organic bleach disolventsCitric acid Fruit and vegetable productsSodium tarter Pastry and confectionaryCalcium monophosfate Only as a gasifier for flourAlginic AcidAlginate sodiumAlginate potassiumAgarCarragaeninaLocust gumGuar gum

Tragacanth gumAcacia Gum Milk, fat and confectionary productsCantan gum Fat products, fruits and vegetables, pastery and

cookies saladsBaraya GumNon-modified pectinSodium carbonate Barkery, cookies and confectionaryPotassic carbonate CerealsAmmonia cabonateMagnesium carbonatePotassium chloride Frozen fruits and vegetables, preserved fruits and

vegetables, vegetable sauces, katsoup and mustard

Calcium chloride Milk, fat, fruit and vegetable products, and soy products

Magnesium chloride Soy productsCalcium sulfate Pastry and cookies, soy products, barkery yeastSodium hydroxide Cereal productsArgon NitrogenOxigen

Aeromatic agents

Substances and products labeled as aeromatic substances, natural aeromatic preparations, as defined in the Food Codex.

Water and saltPotable water

Salts (with chloride sodium or potassium chloride as basic components generally used in the elaboration of food).

Microorganism and Ensyme Preparations

Any microorganism and ensyme based preparations used normally in the elaboration of food, except microorganisms obtained genetically modified or ensymes resulting from genetic engineering.

Minerals(Including oligocene elements), amino acids and essential fatty acids and other

nitrogen composts. Approved only if their use is legally required in food producto to which they are incorporated.

ANNEX 4

ELABORATION COADJUTANT WHICH CAN BE USED FOR THE ELABORATION, PREPARATION OF PRODUCTS OF AGRICULTURAL

ORIGEN

NAME SPECIFIC CONDITIONSWaterCalcium chloride Coagulant agentCalcium hydroxideCalcium Sulphate Coagulant agentCalcium carbonateMagnesium chloride Coagulant agentPotassium chloride To dry grapesCaron DioxideNitrogenEthanol DisolventTonic acid Filtration agentEgg white albuminCaseinGelatinColapezVegetable oil Oiler or liberation agents

Silicon dioxide Gel or Colloidal solutionActive charcoalTalcTagloriteKaolinDiatomasic soilPerlitaHazelnut shellBee wax Liberating agentCarnauba Wax Liberating agentSulphuric acid Ph adjustment en water extraction for sugar

productionSodium hydroxyl Ph adjustment in sugar productionTartaric acids and saltsSodium carbonate Sugar productionBark component preparationsPotassium hydroxide Ph adjustment in sugar productionCitric Acid Ph adjustment

CERTIFICATION

The SECRETARIAT GENERAL for the attorney general's office. DOES HEREBY CERTIFY the test certificate which literally reads: VERDICT.- Analyzed File No. 1049-2002 and in attention to Correspondance S.G. 134-02 dated November twelve two thousand two, directed to Doctor Sergio Zavala Leiva, in his condition as Attorney General of the Republic, signed by DIONICIO CRUZ, SECRETARY GENERAL FOR THE SECRETARIAT OF AGRICULTURE AND CATTLE RAISING, with which a copy remitted of the DRAFT OF THE REGULATIONS FOR ORGANIC AGRICULTURE, OF THE DIRECTORATE OF NATONAL AGRICULTURAL SANITATION SERVICE , a branch office of the SECRETARIAT OF AGRICULTURE AND CATTLE RAISING, this attorney general’s office ISSUES FAVORABLE JUDGMENT, in the sense to proceed to publish the Regulation in the Official Government Bulletin “La Gaceta” so acquire effectiveness in the application of Article 32 and 41 of the Administrative Procedures Law Article 228 of the Constitution of the Republic, 32, 41, 72 of the Administrative Procedures Law, Tegucigalpa, M.D.C., November 18, 2002 (S and S) ATTORNEY MARCO ANTONIO ANAYA D. JUDICIAL CONSULTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE”.

Tegucigalpa, M.D.C. November 27, 2002

ATTORNEY MARCO ANTONIO CASTILLO S.SECRETARY GENERALATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE